Levert is equally, if not more impressive, on the album’s ballads. ‘ Bang The Walls‘ is a gritty piece of rock and soul that George Clinton or Nona Hendryx might have performed back in the day, while ‘ The Big Groove‘ urges us to ‘help the poor and needy’, touching on the social issues of the day, harking back to social songs Levert recorded back in the seventies. This doesn’t sound like an O’Jays record, and nor should it. The funk runs deep through the album, with Levert combining his classic sound with rock elements, giving him a new direction. But the song is funky, and Levert sounds good. The groove mellows a tad with the album’s first single ‘ Say It Ain’t So‘, perhaps the most radio friendly cut from the album it’s been getting some plays in the soul stations in the States, but not enough, sadly, for it to gain the traction it deserves. The song is infectious, complete with a decent rhythm and horn arrangement making it a decent start to the album. The album opens with the blistering ‘ I Ain’t Goin’ For That‘, a hardcore piece of rocking soul that has Levert’s trademark seductive growl first and centre. But Levert’s passion for creating music clearly remains, and it shows on Did I Make You Go Ooh. It’s refreshing that someone of Levert’s stature refuses to stand still in the business: it would be easy for Levert to simply just perform the hits that he and The O’Jays are known for. Thankfully, Levert still sounds as gruff and bold as ever, and he puts all his vocal might into this new album. And if you expect a seventy-something to sound like they did when they were in their prime fifty-ish years ago, then you’re a fool. Sure, in place’s he’s a little deeper and a little raspier than he might once have been, but all-in-all Levert’s voice remains the powerhouse it was when The O’Jays hit the big time on Philadelphia International back in the seventies. Now the first thing that more than a few people might think reading this is: well, can he still sing at 73? For anyone who has had the privilege of seeing Levert with The O’Jays over the past few years can testify to, the answer is a resounding yes. And now he’s back with a brand new album, the very good Did I Make You Go Ooh. It’s his gruff soulful voice on songs like ‘ Backstabbers‘, ‘ For The Love of Money‘ and ‘ Love Train‘ it’s his voice that people around the world love. Most famous for being a member of The O’Jays, Levert is one of soul music’s great. But that’s exactly what Eddie Levert is doing. It’s hard to imagine a man who has suffered so much personal tragedy and loss to be still in public view, still making a living doing what he’s done for the past fifty years or so. And at 73, Eddie Levert very much still has it. The O'Jays are mainly known by their hits "Back Stabbers", "Love Train" and "For the Love of Money.The legendary lead singer of the mighty, mighty O’Jays has just released his long awaited solo album ‘Did I Make You Go Ooh’. Their first big hit was Lonely Drifter which was lifted off their debut album Comin Through. They were officially known as The O'Jays after they got their name from DJ Eddie O'Jay. The O'Jays were originally known as The Triumphs and The Mascots. Levert is the father of R&B singers Gerald Levert, who died on November 10, 2006, and Sean Levert, who died on March 30, 2008. They formed the group that would later become the O'Jays 1958. They were motivated to sing after seeing a performance from Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. While attending high school, he met buddies Walter Williams, Bill Isles, Bobby Massey, and William Powell. Levert was born in Bessemer, Alabama, but was raised in Canton, Ohio. ![]() Read Full Bio Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942) is an American singer, and is the lead vocalist of the soul/funk/R&B vocal group, The O'Jays. ![]() ![]() Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942) is an American singer, and is the lead vocalist of the soul/funk/R&B vocal group, The O'Jays.
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